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Suspected February Bluetongue Outbreak Confirmed in Botswana

BOTSWANA – Authorities have confirmed symptoms observed on a sheep farm in February as being Bluetongue virus.

Alerts were raised after two sheep were suspected of showing signs of Bluetongue in the southern region of Kweneng, near the village of Molepolole.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) report released on Wednesday, the forty sheep holding was farmed as part of a communal arrangement.

An OIE spokesperson said: “Two sheep in a flock of 40 showed clinical signs consistent with bluetongue. Samples taken tested positive for bluetongue virus antibodies. There have been no other cases since February 2014.”